Chapter 145: Marriage ②
The wedding ceremony with Claudia was, well, it was truly grand.
At the end of the ceremony, there was a kiss with Claudia, but this time, there were no failures like when I kissed Cassandra. I suppose I’ve gotten used to kissing.
“Somehow, you seem so practiced, it makes me jealous.”
“Even if you say that…”
In reality, I have gotten used to it… But Claudia, looking up at me with a gaze like a mischievous child, was so adorable it made my heart flutter.
After holding the ceremony at the Grand Cathedral, we went straight to the royal palace for the banquet. There were also five costume changes, called ‘oironaoshi’.
Light Magic Users desperately illuminated the venue, and nobles danced in a space sparkling with chandeliers.
By the way, Cornelia and Lily couldn’t attend the banquet because they’re minors. They’re quite angry about that. I’m scared to go back to the mansion.
I also ended up dancing with Claudia many times.
I wasn’t very good at dancing, but I’m glad Cassandra taught me.
“Dee?”
“What is it?”
“Just now, you were thinking about a woman other than myself, weren’t you?”
“Eh…?”
Scary. Is she an esper?!
“During the dance, please think only of your partner, look only at me.”
“Alright… My apologies.”
“Very well.”
Claudia said only that, then danced with a blissful smile on her face.
“Look only at me? At least, just for now…”
“Yeah.”
After that, receiving greetings from the nobles was also quite an ordeal. This time, because it was the wedding of Princess Claudia, the heads of almost all noble families attended. The heads of noble families who couldn’t attend directly sent representatives.
We received blessings from nobles all over the kingdom.
Well, I’m sure there were some among them who didn’t approve of this marriage. Margrave Huebner, for example. Even though Margrave Huebner is in the royal capital, he sent Klemens as his representative.
Let’s see, what else. There were also some from baron and viscount families who made sarcastic remarks indirectly. They’re probably bitter that Baumgarten, once an unremarkable minor noble house, surpassed them in rank.
But I can’t understand those guys who make sarcastic remarks at a celebratory occasion, especially when Claudia is also listening. Thanks to that, your impression on me and Claudia is the absolute worst, you know?
Well, they probably haven’t been able to advance in society because they don’t even understand such things…
Nevertheless, such people were in the minority, and most nobles had a favorable attitude. Some of them were nobles I had treated before.
And so, the wedding ceremony with Claudia, which lasted all day, came to an end.
Well, for us, in a way, the real event starts from here. It’s our wedding night.
I was given special permission to stay at Claudia’s Detached Palace. In other words, that’s what it means, right?
“Clau, I’ll cherish you.”
“Yes. Please be gentle…”
Controlling the beastly lust within me, I pushed Claudia down onto the bed.
◇
Good evening. This is Cassandra Baumgarten.
I am currently on standby in front of the Princess’s bedchamber, prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
“Um, Cassandra-sama? You don’t have to press your ear against the door to be on standby…”
“It will be too late if something happens! I must pay the utmost attention!”
“…If this is too painful for you, shall I take your place?”
“No, thank you. This is a mission entrusted to me!”
Silencing my colleagues who were looking at me with pitying eyes, I pressed my ear against the door and tried to discern what was happening inside.
Today is the Princess’s and Dee’s first night. The day the Princess’s first time is… taken.
The humiliation of someone other than myself taking the Princess’s first time.
The jealousy of not being born a man.
Those feelings did not burn and torment me…
Even though I am excited, I am surprised at how few negative emotions I feel compared to what I expected. Far greater than that is the feeling of wanting to bless the fulfillment of their love.
“Clau, I’ll cherish you.”
“Yes. Please be gentle…”
“!!”
Dee’s and the Princess’s voices, heard through the door. The Princess’s voice was so faint it sounded like it might disappear. Just that voice alone, and I’m already…!
Following that, the Princess’s suppressed voice, as if she were enduring something.
Princess… You’ve finally been united with Dee, haven’t you.
I felt something akin to heartbreak and, at the same time, the feeling of a love fulfilled. It is a great joy, tinged with a hint of sadness.
With this, the Princess has formally become a member of the Baumgarten family, just like me. Even after marriage, she will always be with me.
I feel the forbidden romantic feelings within me, which could never have been fulfilled, now finding satisfaction. At the same time, I felt a slight jealousy towards the Princess.
It seems I have truly fallen in love with Dee.
At first, it was a political marriage where we were both caught up in Old Man’s rampage.
Normally, it would have been natural for it not to work out. It wouldn’t have been strange if he had hated me.
‘Cassandra-jou, it might be impossible right away. But I will definitely come to love you. So, I want you, Cassandra-jou, to also make an effort to love me. Let’s become happy together. So happy that everyone will be envious.’
Dee’s words are still firmly engraved in my heart even now.
From now on, together with the Princess, let us become so happy that everyone will be envious!